Pumpkin Spiced Latte Bar Soap Recipe

Prep

1. Use Protection! Remember to wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, closed-toed shoes, goggles, and gloves to avoid injury or burns.

   (Personally, I think this is overkill. But do it anyway.)

2. For this recipe, cold brew coffee is used in place of lye water to added scent & texture. Using a sanitized container, combine both coffee grounds and distilled water/cold-brewed coffee mixture into a container. Allow this mixture to steep for 24 hours then filter using a coffee filter prior to advancing to the lye water phase.

Phase 1: Lye Water

1. Slowly add the lye to the cold-brewed coffee and whisk until the lye has dissolved. The lye should dissolve quickly. It helps to keep the mixture in an ice bath to avoid the mixture from becoming too hot. Add in the carrot juice after the lye has dissolved into the coffee to avoid burning the juice. Set aside to cool.

Phase 2: Oil Phase

1. Combine the pumpkin seed oil, coconut oil, olive oil and rice bran oil, and castor oil and melt until the coconut oil no longer has visible pieces. Let the mixture cool. I like to keep my temperatures at around 90-100 degrees to avoid the essential oils from catalyzing too quickly.

   Optional: Add coconut milk to this phase for a smoother texture and more nutrient-dense bar of soap.

Phase 3: Add-Ins

1. Add the essential oils, pumpkin puree, coffee grounds, and mica powder into the oil and butter mixture and whisk together until the mica has dispersed evenly.

   Tip: If you decide to use a stick blender keep in mind that this recipe reacts quickly to the essential oils and hardens within seconds. A whisk helps to slow this process down and avoid soap that is unmanageable.

   
   
   

Phase 4: Mix it

1. Begin whisking the oil mixture and slowly pour the lye water (coffee in this case) into the oils. The lye and oils immediately begin to thicken and begin to create a dark brown mixture. After about 60 seconds you’ll notice the mixture come to trace. Some call this the “cake batter” because the texture is similar to cake batter. Once your soap has reached a “cake batter” trace, pour it all into the mold.

   
   
   

Phase 5: Pre-Cure

1. Tap the mold load on the sides and bottom to remove bubble pockets. Quickly spray the top of the soap with 99% isopropyl alcohol to avoid soda ash.

   TIP: If you do not spray with 99% isopropyl alcohol, you may find a white film on top of the soap while cutting. Don't worry, this evaporates from the top of the soap within 24 hours.

   Allow the soap to sit in the mold for 24-48 before moving on cutting. You’ll know it’s ready when the soap has become hard.

   
   
   

Phase 6: Cut & Cure

1. Remove the soap from the soap loaf mold after the 24-48 hour period. Using a sharp knife or specialty loaf cutting tool.